Waya Island is home to the famous Octopus Resort where we enjoyed a few days frolicking on their property, visiting a local village, and hiking to one of two horned summits on a mountain.
Day 4: Waya & Octopus Resort
I had made arrangements with a local guide, Ben. to take us to the Nalauwaki village to do sevusevu. We thought it would be a short 1-2-mile hike up and over the hill, but it turned out to be oh so much more! Ben walked us toward the village, but before we could put on our sulus we were met on the path by the chief who was gardening. He was lovely, but insisted on just taking the kava. I was so disappointed because I really wanted everyone to experience sevusevu. Oh well, maybe next time.
We continued on to our hike down a long beautiful beach that was unfortunately littered with trash. It was extremely surprising to see so much trash right in front of the village homes. Typically, they take great pride in their yards and would not stand for such a mess.
We pass their pig pen area that was full of pigs and piglets.
Ben showed us cassava root (plant growing) and the potato looking vegetable.
The Start of the Climb
Up, up, and further up we hike to one of the two horned summits. We were not really prepared to do a 5.5-mile hike with a 400-meter elevation and 120 flights. The boys were in flip flops (Matt and Ben were barefoot) and Kimberly and I wore walking shoes. We brought water, but not nearly enough. But it all worked out in the end.
We make a few stops along the way to capture the beautiful view and to rest (well I rested).
We made it beyond the initial stopping point. It was a ledge just before the summit. Kimberly and I were toasted and decided to hang out there while the boys persisted to the very top of the summit. If you look really closely, you will see 3 bodies at the top of the mountain on the lower left photo.
The top of the horned summit in Waya
A few beautiful photos from the top of the summit. You can see Sugar Shack in her anchorage on the top two photos.
Our hike up 400-meter elevation and 5.5 miles.
We were all pretty proud of ourselves!
On the way back, Ben showed off his beautiful village and we shopped at their local artisan market. As it turned out, it was two ladies on a wooden platform selling jewelry, carved wood and sea shells. Kimberly and I still managed to make a few purchases for everyone.
We were a wee bit exhausted and super starving by the time we got back to the resort. We saddled up to the bar and ordered cocktails and lunch.
After lunch, we were able to enjoy their lovely pool and a fun game of volleyball with the locals.
We were all so exhausted that we just made quesadillas for dinner and called it an early night.
Events from this blog took place during the first two weeks of August. Our blog posts run 6-8 weeks behind actual events. In our last blog, the Konis family joins us in Fiji and we take them from Viti Liti to Malolo Island.
